Which of the following statements with regard to Chile is/are correct? 1. The city of Arica, situated in northern Chile within the Atacama Desert ecosystem, is documented as one of the driest inhabited places on Earth. 2. Valparaiso is Chile's primary industrial center for heavy iron ore smelting, situated in the hyper-arid Atacama region. Select the answer using the code given below: |ForumIAS

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Notes:

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Arica lies on the edge of the Atacama Desert and receives an average annual rainfall of less than 1 mm, earning its status as one of the driest places on Earth.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Valparaíso is located in central Chile (Mediterranean climate zone) and is world-famous as a historic port city, cultural center, and wine-exporting hub.